Leagues' restructuring nears completion

After almost eighteen months of consultation, meetings and research, The F.A. will announce it's full proposals for the restructuring of the National Leagues System at the annual National Leagues Conference in Birmingham over the weekend of the 12th-14th July.

The restructuring proposals have been lead by The F.A.'s National Leagues Manager Greg Fee and F.A National Game Division Director Steve Parkin, with the key objective of creating a more equitable pyramid system that would allow clubs to progress in a more structured, fairer and consistent way, irrespective of their location around the country.

Fee, Parkin and Mike Appleby, The F.A.'s National Leagues Development Manager have held consultations with over 200 clubs at Levels 1 and 2 and held regional presentations for Leagues around the country at Levels 3 and 4; over 90% of clubs in the Nationwide Conference and the three Feeder Leagues have had the opportunity to give their views.

As Steve Parkin explained: "After the exhaustive consultations and research that The F.A. have carried out, the final step was to ascertain whether clubs wanted to have 2 or 3 Feeder Leagues into the Conference. Neither proposal emerged as a clear favourite amongst the clubs, however only 34 out of the 67 Premier League Clubs in the three Feeder Leagues backed the move to the 2 Feeder option, when 44 clubs would be required to form the two leagues."

As a result of this feedback, The F.A. will be taking the proposal to retain 3 Feeder Leagues - but with planned changes to the current system - to the F.A. Council for ratification in early July. National Leagues Manager Greg Fee said: "Some clubs were reluctant to support the large change to 2 Feeders, but there was an overwhelming feeling that the current pyramid needs change in order to create a fairer and more consistent system.

"As a result of the feedback, The F.A. will continue to work with clubs and leagues to develop changes that will ensure a more equitable system, and will be announcing our proposals to Leagues and Clubs in more detail in Birmingham between 12th and 14th July."

He added, "I would like to thank all the Leagues and Clubs for their time during this process, and for their support in the future in working towards proposals that we hope will be for the future betterment of football in the English National Leagues System."

Draw continues here.

In view of my continuing negotiations with the Ryman League in relation to their interpretation of the validity of the CVA proposals to be considered at the meeting next Monday, I have concluded that there is no alternative other than to adjourn that meeting. Currently the Leagues officials are seeking to impose requirements above and beyond the provisions of the Insolvency Act and more time is needed to discuss this key issue with them and find a practical way forward. If anyone was planning to attend the meeting on Monday, I should advise that it will be purely formal and the only business conducted at it will be the adjournment to the later date.

Under the Insolvency Act, the meeting can be adjourned for up to 14 days and I shall advise creditors of the date for the adjourned meeting by post on Monday. I shall also post details on the website of when the meeting is to be held as soon as it is decided.

Nick Hood
Joint Administrator

Brentford conclude Kingsmeadow option agreement

Brentford Football Club today announced that they have signed an option agreement with Kingstonian Football Club over the use of The K's Kingsmeadow Stadium.

The deal gives Brentford an exclusive two-year option "window" on Kingsmeadow Stadium in the event of The Club having to leave Griffin Park.

The option can be exercised at any time within the two-year period. The agreed license period for tenure of Kingsmeadow Stadium is for a maximum of seven years upon commencement - which includes a twelve-month notice period if Brentford wish to leave before such time.

Brentford Football Club would like to stress to its supporters that this option agreement has been signed only as a "fall back" position in the event Brentford cannot move into a new stadium within the near future and is working hard to achieve this goal.

The Club wishes to add that the option agreement signed with Woking Football Club last year for the use of Kingsfield Stadium will not be exercised.

At a meeting held this afternoon with the management committee of the Ryman Football League, which was attended by the K's new owners Rajesh and Anup Khosla, together with Club Chairman Alan Kingston and Club Secretary Graham Richards, the league management committee were satisfied with the business plan, accounts and proposals for satisfying the CVA (creditors voluntary agreement) and coming out of administration.

At the AGM held this evening, K's were accepted as part of the constitution of the league and voted in as a member of the Premier Division for season 2002/2003.

A big thank you to everybody involved with the club from Rajesh, Anup and Rishi Khosla, Alan Kingston and Graham Richards. Roll on season 2002/2003!

Graham Richards,
Club Secretary.

The Dons Trust support for AFC Wimbledon

Last night over 700 members and friends of The Dons Trust gathered to hear the latest developments of AFC Wimbledon.

These are the facts:

Over £70,000 raised against a target of £20,000 in 11 days to secure the Club's birth.
AFC Wimbledon Ltd has been created.
Confirmation (at 8-04pm) that Kingstonian Football Club have agreed to our application for a ground share.
Confirmation of Senior Status from the London Football Association.
Agreed that the club will be owned by the fans and run by the fans.
The unveiling of the team kit and club badge.
Confirmation that Terry Eames (former Wimbledon player) will be looking after football matters.
Agreed a trials date of the 29th June 2002 on Wimbledon Common extension.

The Dons Trust recognise that AFC Wimbledon have been fortunate in the amount of support being provided by our own fans but also by fans and clubs throughout the country and world. It has been a marvellous and exciting two weeks.

We especially appreciate the fantastic support from Kingstonian FC, who have provided an opportunity for AFC Wimbledon to ground share at Kingsmeadow during this season of rebirth.

Let's be clear that we are taking nothing for granted. The Ryman League Annual General Meeting on Monday will be the final hurdle AFC Wimbledon needs to clear before joining Division Two. And if the club are given approval to join the membership, we realise this is an exceptional opportunity for AFC Wimbledon. It will be like coming home having left the league during a previous journey almost 40 years ago.

We hope that the Ryman League will see their way to accept AFC Wimbledon and that the club have met all their criteria.

We acknowledge the truly great numbers of offers of sponsorship and advertising that we are receiving, together with the constant flow of good luck messages and applications to join our playing ranks. Thank you to everyone.

WILLIAMS JOINS THE WINGS

Welling United Football Club today announced the appoinment of Bill Williams as their new manager. The vastly experienced ex-Dover Athletic boss comes to the 'Wings' after a six-month lay-off from team management.

Williams, who has won seven championships throughout a managerial career spanning three continents, said, "I'm delighted to accept the challenge that Welling United offers. It's similar to situations that I have gone into on many occasions.

"There can be no rash promises made at this stage. I need to assess the players quickly - get into the marketplace and work hard over the next three months to make sure that we have a competitive team on the park for the start of the season."

Commenting on the new appointment, Director Graham Hobbins said, "We have known Bill for over twenty years. There has always been a mutual respect between us and we have done business on a number of occasions. He has the credentials and experience that we feel this Club needs at this moment and we look forward to a very exciting and successful association."

FA Trophy
Sat 2nd November, FA Trophy Round 1
Sat 30th November, FA Trophy Round 2
Sat 11th January, FA Trophy Round 3
Sat 1st February, FA Trophy Round 4
Sat 22nd February, FA Trophy Round 5
Sat 15th March, FA Trophy Round 6 (quarter-finals)
Sat 5th April, FA Trophy semi-finals, 1st leg
Sat 12th April, FA Trophy semi-finals, 2nd leg
Sun 11th May, FA Trophy Final

Conference's promotion boost

Two teams will be relegated from Division Three and two will be promoted from the Conference from next season.

The move has been made possible after the FA agreed a £6m compensation package over five years with Division Three clubs.

The chairmen of the 72 League clubs gave the proposal their support at the Chairman's Conference on Friday, before rubber-stamping the plans at the AGM on Saturday morning.

The chairmen were heavily criticised for rejecting the move last summer.

But 12 months of negotiations with the FA over a cash settlement have changed their minds and two clubs will now be relegated into the Conference in May 2003.

Under the terms of the FA deal, all 24 Division Three clubs will receive £50,000 every August for the next five years.

The two promoted teams will win a £35,000 hand-out, with relegated sides receiving parachute payments.

Lincoln City chairman Rob Bradley's club finished 22nd in Division Three this season.

He said: "I know two down would have troubled us this year, but the principle is right.

"There are three or four teams going up and down in the other divisions, and I think there should be freedom of movement through the football pyramid.

"To have one team going up is not fair.

"You've got to stick with your principles, no matter how nervous you might be."

Cambridge chairman Roger Hunt agreed that fear of relegation was not a good enough reason to keep the system as it is.

"I've always been in favour," he said.

"If you have three-up and three-down between Division One and the Premiership, you can't have restrictive practices at the bottom.

"We're all frightened of being relegated, but two-up, two-down is the right thing for the good of football."

Had the rules been in operation this year Conference champions Boston would have been joined in the League by second-placed Dagenham and Redbridge.

Bottom-of-the-League Halifax would have been joined in the Conference by Bristol Rovers, who ended the season in 23rd place in Division Three.

Ron's coming to Ks by John Lyons

Cash-strapped Kingstonian FC have been thrown a financial lifeline by the man who tried to buy the club last season.

Brentford supreme Ron Noades is in talks with Ks owners, the Khosla family, in a bid to groundshare Kingsmeadow from the start of the 2003/04 season.

With the Ryman Premier side still desperate to raise a reported £70,000 to settle its creditors, Noades' latest bid to cross the Thames and relocate his Nationwide Division Two side in Kingston now looks a distinct possibility.

Ks chief executive Vic Searle was guarded about Brentford's offer, but said: "There have been a number of discussions, but at the moment I'm not in a position to expand on them."

Noades believes he can deal with the Khosla family to the benefit of both clubs.

The multi-millionaire chairman said: "We have been discussing an option with Kingstonian, but we haven't signed anything yet.

"We could decide to go there after one or two years, and stay for one to seven years. However, we could leave at any time. The Kingstonian deal depends on them and if the terms are suitable to us. We aren't in a weak bargaining position and they probably need us more than we need them. Their owners are a bit new to football."

Noades believes it is prudent foe the Bees to have a possible temporary home up their sleeve as the protracted negotiations with Hounslow Council, owners of the Feltham Avenue site, rumbles on.

The chairman would sooner not leave the borough but hopes the Ks option will concentrate the minds of those deciding what to do with the derelict Feltham site.

He added: "I'm optimistic we can go to Kingstonian knowing where we are going to go long-term if the council really wants to help us. I think they can help us with Feltham Arenas. They could make Feltham available in 12 months and we wouldn't need Kingstonian at all. I don't know what's in the council's thinking or how strong their commitment is."